Schiess confirmed as new Chief of Space Operations

Published Aug. 7, 2026
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) -- The Senate, Aug. 6, confirmed Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess to serve as the next Chief of Space Operations as the domain becomes increasingly contested and critical to national security.

Schiess, who currently serves as the Deputy Chief of Space Operations for Operations, will succeed Gen. Chance Saltzman as the top officer in charge of the U.S. Space Force and a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

CSO nomination hearing. — Deputy Chief of Space Operations Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess testifies during a Senate hearing at the Dirksen Building, Washington, D.C. July 16, 2026. Scheiss was nominated as the 3rd Chief of Space Operations and the hearing was part of the consideration process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andy Morataya)0

"It will be the honor of my professional career to lead the Guardians of the United States Space Force," Schiess told the Senate Armed Services Committee during his confirmation hearing on July 16. "I will work tirelessly to ensure our Guardians are ready, our capabilities are resilient, our partnerships remain strong, and our service is worthy of the trust placed in us by the American people."

Following the Senate's vote, Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink expressed strong support for Schiess.

"I am incredibly pleased with the Senate's confirmation of Lieutenant General Doug Schiess as our next Chief of Space Operations," Meink said. "General Schiess is a visionary leader who will ensure the Space Force remains equipped and our Guardians remain trained to deter conflict while accelerating the delivery of next-generation capabilities that keep the nation ahead of evolving threats."

Saltzman, who is preparing for retirement after a 35-year military career, offered a similar assessment.

"Lieutenant General Schiess is an exceptional leader and brings the experience and vision needed to guide the service into its next chapter," Saltzman said. "I look forward to watching the Space Force continue to thrive under his leadership."

During his confirmation testimony, Schiess outlined his strategic vision for the Space Force, focusing on deterrence and foreign technological advancements.

"The space domain is increasingly contested and vital to modern warfare," Schiess testified. "Our purpose is not confrontation, but deterrence, ensuring no adversary believes aggression against the United States will succeed."

Schiess detailed a three-part mandate for how the service branch must organize, train and equip its forces to support the broader military.

"We must defend our nation’s space capabilities so that the Joint Force can project power; we must protect the Joint Force from space-enabled attack; and we must deliver the capabilities that the Joint Force needs to prosecute the full range of its missions," Schiess said.